Buffalo Rising takes you behind the scenes of EVERY BRILLIANT THING starring Kevin Craig. Director Charmagne Chi sits down with Kevin and they talk about… well, brilliant things!
EVERY BRILLIANT THING runs March 3-19 @ the Shea’s Smith Theatre.
Second Generation Theatre Company, Inc. is a professional 501(c)3 theatre company based in Buffalo, NY. Founded in 2013 by University at Buffalo graduates Kristin Bentley, Arin Lee Dandes, and Kelly Copps, Second Generation Theatre’s artistic aim is to encourage a new generation of theatregoers to become involved in the arts. Our mission is to create powerful theatrical experiences that speak to and unite a community of diverse backgrounds, and to continually cultivate appreciation and understanding in audiences of all generations through education and engagement.
By Jonathan Larson
Jon is a promising composer living in NYC… but he’s almost 30 and what has he done? A fast-paced musical about being true to yourself and what “success” really means from the composer of RENT.
Directed by Louis Colaiacovo, Choreographed by Beth Polito, Music Direction by Joe Isgar
| Sean Ryan | JON |
| Joe Russi | MICHAEL |
| Leah Berst | SUSAN |
May 19th- June 4th, 2023
Thursday May 25th & June 1st @ 7:30 pm
Friday May 19th, 26th & June 2nd @ 7:30 pm
Saturday May 20th, 27th and June 3rd @ 8:00 pm
Sunday May 21st, 28th and June 4th @ 2:00 pm
By Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe
This one-man show is a beautiful and unique experience. The Narrator (Kevin Craig, AEA) takes the audience through his life and his on-going list of “every brilliant thing” there is to live for. A hilarious and heart-breaking look at life, loss, and how we move on. Directed by Charmagne Chi
CONTENT WARNING– Although the play balances the struggles of life while celebrating all that is “truly brilliant” in living each day, Every Brilliant Thing contains descriptions of depression, self-harm, and suicide. The show briefly describes a character’s attempted suicides and her death by suicide. Crisis Services recommends only audience members 14+ attend, and reminds audiences to attend this program with their personal experiences in mind. As always, if you or somebody you know is struggling, call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
| Kevin Craig | NARRATOR |
March 3rd-18th, 2023
Thursday March 9th & 16th @ 7:30 pm
Friday March 3rd, 10th & 17th @ 7:30 pm
Saturday March 4th, 11th & 18th @ 8:00 pm
Sunday March 5th and 12th @ 2:00 pm
Music by Lucy Simon, Book & Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
An enchanting 90-minute retelling of the beloved 1911 novel, THE SECRET GARDEN is beautiful story of finding home and family where you least expect it.
Directed & Choreographed by Michael Oliver- Walline, Music Direction by Allan Paglia
THE SECRET GARDEN: SPRING VERSION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
| Louis Colaiacovo | ARCHIE |
| Ella Hinklin | MARY |
| Clark Garvey | COLIN |
| Kelly Copps | LILY |
| John Panepinto | NEVILLE |
| Joe Russi | DICKON |
| Amy Jakiel | MARTHA |
| Anne Defazio | MRS MEDLOCK |
| John Kreuzer | BEN |
| Leah Berst | ROSE/ENS |
| Bob Mazierski | ALBERT/ENS |
| Jenn Stafford | MRS WINTHROP/ENS |
| Maria PedroCollin McKeeJenny Marie McCabeCharles McGregorAnthony Lazzaro | ENSEMBLE |
October 14th-30th, 2022
Thursday October 20th & 27th @ 7:30 pm
Friday October 14th, 21st & 28th @ 7:30 pm
Saturday October 15th, 22nd & 29th @ 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday October 16th, 23rd & 30th @ 2:00 pm
June 6-23, 2013
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
“Once upon a time…”
So begins the brilliant Sondheim fairy tale of what happens after happily ever after. SGT’s first production, INTO THE WOODS played at the New Phoenix Theatre On The Park in 2013.
Directed by Chris Kelly
Choreographed by Bobby Cooke
Starring Jacob Albarella (Rapunzel’s Prince), Frankie Campofelice (Jack), Bobby Cooke (The Baker), Steve Copps (The Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince), Kelly Copps (Cinderella), Arin Lee Dandes (Little Red), Gail Golden (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Matthew Iwanski (Florinda), Tammy Hayes McGovern (Grandmother), Mary McMahon (Jack’s Mother), Matthew Nerber (Steward), Loraine O’Donnell (The Witch), Ben Puglisi (The Narrator), Eric Rawski (Milky White), Angie Shriner (Lucinda), Jenn Stafford (The Baker’s Wife)
January 30-February 16, 2014
by Neil LaBute
Meet Guy. He’s just a normal, well… guy, traveling around the country and meeting up with old loves.
Oh, and he’s getting married.
SOME GIRl(s) played January 30- February 16 at the New Phoenix Theatre on the Park. Ted Hadley of the Buffalo News gave the production four stars.
Directed by Steve Copps
Starring Adriano Gatto (Guy), Meghan McAdam Gomez (Sam), Sophia Howes (Tyler), Diane DiBernardo Blenk (Lindsay), and Kristin Bentley (Bobbi)
June 26- July 13, 2014
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
This thought provoking and intense musical lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, in a one-act historical “revusical” that explores the dark side of the American experience.
Full of complex characters whose lives we know mostly from the papers, ASSASSINS sheds light on dark historical moments.
Directed by Chris Cavanagh
Choreographed by Kristy Cavanagh
Starring Jacob Albarella (The Proprietor), Christopher Andreana (Ensemble), Steve Copps (Czolgosz), Arin Lee Dandes (Fromme), Philip Farugia (Guiteau), Sophia Howes (Ensemble), Matthew Iwanski (Ensemble), Kevin Kennedy (Ensemble), Nick Lama (Hinckley), Renee Landrigan (Ensemble), Geoff Pictor (Zangara), Ben Puglisi (Booth), Michele Marie Roberts (Moore), Jonathan Young (The Balladeer)
February 12-March 1, 2015
by Lyle Kessler
Lyle Kessler’s ORPHANS tells the story of two brothers living in an abandoned Philadelphia row house. An unexpected visitor turns their worlds upside down in ways they could never have imagined and marks their lives in a way neither expected. A darkly funny story, ORPHANS explores the complexity of family relationships.
Directed by David Oliver
Starring Anthony Alcocer (Treat), Greg Natale (Harold), and PJ Tighe (Philip)
June 11-28, 2015
Music & Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Based on Joseph Moncure March’s ‘The Wild Party’
‘Queenie was a blonde and her age stood still…”
So begins Andrew Lippa’s exciting musical about deceit, drinks, and dance. Set in the roaring twenties, THE WILD PARTY tells the story of two vaudeville performers who set out for an evening of debauchery. Amidst an ensemble of questionable characters, what befalls all of them will surprise and shock.
Directed & Choreographed by Michael Walline
Starring Lauren Nicole Alaimo (Kate), Jacob Albarella (Kegs), Jamie Boswell (Oscar), Charmagne Chi (Madeline True), Bobby Cooke (Sam), Steve Copps (Black), Arin Lee Dandes (Mae), Arianne Davidow (Queenie), Matthew Iwanski (Phil), Amy Jakiel (Dolores), Sabrina Kahwaty (Nadine), London Lee (Jackie),Eric Rawski (Eddie),Matt Witten (Burrs)
by Christopher Durang
Vanya and Sonia have never left the confines of their childhood home in Bucks County, PA, while their sister Masha has been gallivanting around the world as a successful actress. A surprise visit from Masha and her 20-something boy toy, Spike, throws the normally quiet household into utter upheaval as its residents and visitors get swept up in an intoxicating mixture of lust, rivalry, regret, and the sudden possibility of escape.
Directed by Doug Weyand
Starring Charmagne Chi (Cassandra), Louis Colaiacovo (Vanya), Lisa Ludwig (Masha), Ricky Marchese (Spike), Kelsey Mogensen (Nina), and Kristen Tripp Kelley (Sonia)
